Contract disputes

Contract dispute resolution

Even with careful drafting, contract disputes often arise. Parties may disagree over what was intended, what a particular clause means or whether a party has performed their contractual obligations to the required standard. Contracts can range from simple verbal agreements through to comprehensive written documents running to hundreds of pages. They can be individually negotiated and agreed or governed by one party's standard terms of business.

Our experienced solicitors can help you to resolve a contractual dispute of any nature or complexity.

Quick Enquiry

A party may have failed to pay sums due under the contract as they fall due, or have attempted to set these off against sums they claim are due to them. Where one party wishes to terminate the agreement, there are often arguments over whether that can be done lawfully, with potentially significant consequences if this is not done correctly.

Our experience dealing with contract disputes includes:

• acting for both bidders and contracting authorities in multi-million pound procurement disputes
• providing sensible, strategic advice on the early termination and / or re-negotiation of supply contracts (such as cleaning, catering and IT contracts)
• advising a local authority on a £10m service delivery dispute through an adjudication process

How we can help

Our team of experienced litigators have acted for businesses bringing and defending a wide range of high value, complex contractual disputes in the County Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as at arbitrations, mediations and expert determinations. Clients often approach us at an early stage to provide commercial, pragmatic advice that includes:

• strategic input on the strength of their position in respect of breaches, to assist with leverage on re-negotiations
• pro-active guidance on what steps can be taken in respect of inadequate performance, including claims for damages and termination
• recommending the steps to be taken to mitigate any loss or protect your position (including pre-emptive injunctive relief where appropriate)
• advising on the appropriate method of contractual dispute resolution
• identifying possible methods of negotiating a mutually acceptable variation or exit and documenting any agreement reached
• commencing or defending formal proceedings for breach of contract through to the enforcement of a final decision

For specialist legal advice on resolving contractual disputes, please contact Ed Husband on 0117 314 5233.